THE STOIC

.'J(gmber Sixty-two

. DECEMBER 1943

D.F.e.

D.S.O.

D.S.e.

NO.1

STOIC

DECORATIONS

DECEMBER 1943

THEVOL. XI

M.e.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ]. C. A. D. LAWSON (C, 1929). 11th Hussars, in October.

FLYING-OFFICER J. H. SHELMERDINE (G, 1936), R.A.F.V.R., in August.

PILOT-OFFICER P. WILBY (T, 1939). RC.A.F., in November.

FLIGHT-LIEUTENANT J. P. E. MAZE (C, 1940), RA.F.V.R., in October.

LIEUTENANT J. S. FILLEUL (G, 1938). R.N.• in September.

LIEUTENANT B. P. BROOKE (C, 1927), The Hampshire Regt" in September.

CAPTAIN J. P. L. HENDERSON (G, 1932), NO.2 Commando, in October.

MAJOR E. A. F. 'V!DDRINGTON (G, 1932), 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, in August.

MAJOR D.]. ,"VARD (~. 1934), RA" in August.

LIEUTENANT G. T. B. FRANCE (0, 1934), R.A., in September.

CAPTAIN W. P. LUNN·RoCKLIFFE (C, 1936), R.A., in September.

LIEUTENANT E. B. S. HEWITT (8, 1938), Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, in October.

CAPTAIN]. H. DE BURGH (G, 1939), RA., in September.

CAPTAIN E. B. FOSTER-MoORE (o, 1939). The Hampshire Regt., in September.

LIEUTENANT J. C. M. LEYLAND (8, 1940), RB., in August.

The following awards have been made to Old Stoics in addition to the eighty·nine alreadyrecorded :-

O.B.E.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL W. J. D.wls (B, 1930), R.E.M.E., in September.

.f.F.R.

2. THE STOIC THE STOIC 3

M.B.E.

MAJOR LORD RODERIC GORDON (e, .1931), RA., in Septe~ber.

CAPTAIN C. K. SIMOND (T, 1937). RoB., in Se'ptember.

S. S. (American)LIE.uTENANT H. E. JOSSELYN (T, 1931), R.A.N.V.R., in September.

CROIX DE GUERREBRIGAD1ER-CHEF P, O. 'VILLING (Q, 1939); F.F.F.

A citation has now been received for the following award. It is not normally possible toprint these citations except when they appear in the newspapers or are sent by relatives. vVhenthey can be sent they will always be welcome.

LIEUTENANT P. 'F, GREENWELL (465, 1938), Durham Light Infantry. Awardcc.l the M.e. (Stoic No.Gr.)

" Before charging strong positions at Donbaik, Burma, on March 18th last, Lieut. Greenwelltold his platoon to wait for a special signal-a note blown by himself on a hunting horn. As heraised the horn to give the signal it was shot from his hand.

" He thereupon led his men forward in a bayonet charge under heavy automatic and grenadefire from the japanese and personally reached the enemy post, which he engaged with grenades.During this charge he received multiple injuries and was seen to fail near the enemy positions.

" Throughout the action he inspired us all by his high qualities of leadership and courage."

CASUALTIESKILLED

PILOT-OFFICER H. G. P. MOUNSEY (G, 1925), R.A.F.V.R., in Sept~mber.LIEUTENANT R. C. S. MANNERS (e, 1926), R.A.S.C., in October.LIEUTENANT A. C. COWARD (465, 1929), K.O.S.B., in October.

CAPTAIN THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON (*, 1930), The Duke of. Wellington's Regt., and No.2Commando, in September.

LIEUTENANT A. F. R. PORCHER (C, 1933), K.O.S.B.

CAPTAIN SIR HENRY ASTLEy-CORBETT, Bt., (o. 1933), Scots Guards, in September.

LIEUTENANT P. H. G. SMITH (C, 1934). East Surrey Rcgt.,·in November.

MR. JOHN DE HAVILLAND «(1, 1935), Test Pilot, on August 23rd.

MAJOR J. T. McK. ANDERSON, V.C., D.S.O. (0, 1936). Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders,in October.

CAPTAIN J. M. MAYNE (C, 1936), RA., in September.LIEUTENANT A. R. McDOUGALL (0, 1936), Coldstream Guards, in October.

SUB-LIEUTENANT (A) M. A. GRAHAM (G, 1936), R.N.V.R (Reported Missing in january; nowpresumed killed.)

MAJOR C. P. j. O'FARRELL, M.C. (0, 1937), Royal Irish Fusiliers, in August.

CAPTAIN N. S. BROWN (e, 1937), RA., in October,

LIEUTENANT E. B. S. HEWITT, M.e. (8, 1938), Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, in November.

LIEUTENANT L. S. BUXTON (B, 1938), Coldstream Guards, in September.

SERGEANT-PILOT R. MORRISS (G, 1939). RA.F.V.R., in August.

PILOT-OF,FICER P. E. FALKNER (W, 1940), R.A.F.V.R., in August.

TROOPER J. T. WESTON (G, 1940), R.A.C., in Angust.LIEUTENANT D. C. LLOYD (C, 1941), Royal Marine Commando, in September.

LIEUTENANT B. HENSHAW (Qt, 1941), Grenadier Guards, in November.

WOUNDED

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL C. N. M. BLAIR (C, 1929), The Black Watch.

LIEUTENANT D. K. W. BLAIR (C, 1931), Oxford and 'Bucks L.I.

MAJOR T. \V. MACPHERSON (G, 1931), RA.

LIEUTENANT G. G. RIDDICK (C, 1939), RB.

CAPTAIN E. B. FOSTER-MoORE, M.C. (Q, 1939), The Hampshire Regt.

BRIGADIER-CHEF P. O. WILLING (Q, 1939).

LIEUTENANT j. C. M. LEYLAND (B, 1940), R.B.

SUD-LIEUTENANT j. R B. WILLIAMS-ELLIS (T, 1941), R.N.V.R

MISSING

SECOND-LIEUTENANT G. A. SAM (G, 1927), 8th Punjab Regt. (Singapore).

FLIGHT-LIEUTENANT e. j. MACPHERSON (G, 1932), RA.F.V.R., in November.

FLYING-OFFICER j. R. TRAILL (Q, 1934), RA.F.V.R, in August.

SUB-LIEUTENANT A. R. G. PEARCE (e, 1935), RN.V.R, in November.

PILOT-OFFICER R. A. H. BOWRING (It, 1940), RA.F:V.R.,·in July.

PILOT-OFFICER D. J. \VEBSTER (W, 1940), RA.F.V.R., in August.PILoT-OFFICER J. D. S. CABLE (ct, 1941), RA.F.V.R, in August.

PRISONER OF WAR

FLYING-OFFICER B. G. N. KENNEDY (G, 1927), R.A.F,V.R., in September.

MAJOR C. ROCHFORD-BOYD (T, 1928), R.A. (Previously reported Missing, Singapore, injanuary 1942.)

GUNNER M. CAMPBELL (ct, 1933), Perak Defence Force. (Previously reported Missing, in july1942.)

CAPTAIN M. E. BARDWELL (C, 1936), Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. (Previously reportedMissing.)

REPATRIATED.

LIEUTENANT N. A. USSHER (C, 1937). sth Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, in November.

4 THE STOIC THE STOIC j

FIGHTING IN NORTH AFRICA

I do not know how much you read in the papers, .but our sh0;-V c?nsisted 'of a.4,500 yardadvance in brilliant moonlight. I was not actually do.mg COI?ffiUUlcatlOns. at the time. I wasleading the Battalion with the 1.0., and doing the pacmg. whIch was ;rery Important as "....e wereworking on a time table with the R.A.. and if we went .~oo fast and dId not count our p::ces. wegot either too far into our own barrage or too far behind. Eventually we reached. our final obJective,and as my party were pinned down by our barrage, I took them out to the .nght .. ' .

We spent several furious hours digging ourselveS in, during which time we were shel!e~ .bythe Hun and by our own people. In the morning we could see the whole of one armoured diVISionformed up behind us like cars parked at a Race Meeting. They had been .unable to get through theminefield into which we had actually dug ourselves and two Compames. The Armour stayedbehind us for two or three days and the Gunners came up also and parked there, and b.oth Tanksand Gunners started firing barrages right over our heads. We took a pretty poor VIew of ourposition because we got all that the Hun was throwing back at the Tanks and Gunners.

We stayed on that spot for 10 days and saw one or two really good tank battles, but all thetime we were there 'we got shelled heavily

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON

became imbued with from childhood, that provides that impulse. So much in war depends ona sense of honour and a sense of duty, that unless all the officers and many of the men possessthese things to a high degree we cannot hope to win our battles. The German gets his strengthfrom his intense patriotism (stiffened, of course, by first-rate discipline) ; he is genuinely willingto die for the" Fatherland." The Jap is a fanatic. Our troops depend on the leadership of theirofficers. Without that, they lack the driving power necessary to break the spirit of the Bosche.

I have heard much nonsense talked about the public schools-but it has been· rn9stly in-spired by mere jealousy. I have been in the Middle East and the Central Mediterranean forthree and a half years now, and I am quite convinced that without the officers provided by Stoweand the other public schools we should never have found the leaders who are so indispensablefor victory.

You will have heard about poor Morny. He has left a large gap in our ranks, for he wassuch a great favourite. He always struck me as being aremarkably different person from hisillustrious ancestor, and it was not until we were in the thick of it that he really showed himself.Then indeed a fire burned in his kind, friendly soul which I for' one had never seen before. Theorders he gave for the final assault with the bayonet on a terrifically strong German position werethe coolest and calmest possible, but he led the charge like one inspired. This was the first actionthat -- and I had seen, and it is sad that it broke the partnership of The Three (Stoic) Muske-teers.

The most innocent tribute paid to him I think was the notice that meli of his Troop putover their hut door-nothing flowery or sensational-just" The Dook's Boys."

FORCESTHEINSTOICSOLDFROM

MORE FIGHTING IN NORTH AFRICA

I expect you have heard by now of Rommel's unsuccessful counter-attack against us.As it is over, I think I can now tell you what happened. "Ve had just taken over and formed

a new line, and had been in for two days with the forward companies on a forward slope whenwe heard that he was going to '"attack. We withdrew our two forward companies, put them backfor counter-attack roles and got ready to d.efend two prominent hills which he was bound to takeas his objectives. Well, he attacked at dawn, with a preliminary bombardment. and got upto one of our forward companies, which together with the D.F. shot him off it, By seven, theforward companies' position was safe.

However, the battalion on our left was gradually being pushed back along the ridge .andat dusk we were in danger of being cut off. One of our companies, together with our carners,counter-attacked him, and drove him off that too; and at nine o'clock we were O.R. again. Wewaited all next day for him to attack with tanks as well, but he did not try us again, except forsome shelling and mortaring. . ..

Our position was regarded as the keystone of the whole defence, not only for the diVISIOn,.but for everybody else as well; and everybody was very pleased when we beat them off.

MUSSOLINI'S MOUNT

Every morning now I ride a grey Arab stallion which had been specially chosen for M~ssolinito ride on when entering Alexandria in triumph. It is rather an indifferent mount, but Its con-nection with the discomfited Duce affords me some amusement.

A REFLECTION FROM THE C.M.F.

When there is a pause in this war and one is allowed time to think forward and back, I amreminded of my days at Stowe, and of all that I learned to think and do there. I realize whatan advantage I have over so many others. Most people out here seem to take an absolutelyindividualistic point of view. To them their homes and their family are what they fight for.But when it comes to dying for something, then another and greater impulse is required. I thinkmyself that it is the spirit one acquires at a public school, together with the Christianity one

LOOT

I have had the thrill of capturing my first German prisoners. Unfortunately, however, theywere not festooned, as all good Germans are reputed to be, with Zeiss binoculars and Leica cam-eras. All that they had was a pair of British field glasses (Army issue type). I felt myself entitledto recover these and hold them in trust for the Army. But I wish they had been Zeiss.

2 COWS = I CAMEL

Lately I have been functioning chiefly in a political capacity, roaming around with smallbands of soldiers or police, keeping the Italians and the natives in order. I spent some time in asmall insanitary Somali village near the border of French Somaliland, where I did the job of.. Blockade Officer." Any smugglers who attempted to take food or stock into French Somalilandwere arrested for me by men from the neigh bouring battalion (in which one of the most efficientN.C.O.'s was Sergeant C.... of Grenville). It was my job to try the cases and I could give upto two years imprisonment. But L generally imposed a fine-to be paid in stock. It's an aridcountry up there and the only way of keeping stock alive is to keep it moving continuously. SoI had to cash in. on my fines pretty rapidly. We used a basic rate of 3s. for a good sheep and' 30S.for a good cow. One could reckon ten: sheep""" one cow, and two- cows = one camel. The concernran itself. I sold the stock to the military or let the owners buy them back, paying my police outof the proceeds.

The smugglers were armed and financed by the French. They usually tried to slip throughthe prohibited zone at night and it was our job to stop them. About seventy of them got killedand we had some losses too, though of course far fewer. The Somali walks at five miles an hour,unless he is in a hurry, and I used to amuse myself by setting a pace which caused him to hurry.With four or five police I would set off in the dark at 5. a.m. and would have done twenty milesor so before the sun got too hot,

My frontage was one hundred and twenty miles and I was responsible among other ~hingsfor aU traffic on the mad from Dire Dawa once it had passed the turning into British Somaliland.All goods and passenger·traffic on the once·a·week train were also my concern and since l hadno one on my Staff who courd read and write I always- had to be back in the village when thetrain was- due.

6 THE STOIC THE STOIC 7

MARRIAGES

MR. J. B. DWIGHT (G, 1940) has been awarded a Foundation Scholarship for Mechanical Sciencesat Corpus Christi Collegc, Cambridge.

MR. J. C. C. BOWLING (C, 1927), R.A.. to Miss M. Horsburgh Brown, on April 14th ;LIEUTENANT N. C. IRVINE (G, 1932), R.N.V.R., to Miss C. Banister, on December 15th; SURGEON·LIEUTENANT L. A. McAFEE (B, 1934), R.N.V.R., to Miss J. V, \Vall, on July 7th; CAPTAIN R. B.BOULTER (G, 1934), A.I.F., to Miss R. Percy, in July (in Austraiia) ; MAJOR E, G. w. T. \VALSH(T, 1935), P.A.V.O. Cavalry (lIth F.F.), to Miss M. Stewart, on October 30th; MR. A. 1. O.DAVIES (T, 1935) to Miss G. H. Madeley, on October 23rd; LIEUTENANT J. J. RIDDICK (C, 1937),R.A., to Miss C.M. Ruggles-Erise, on September 28th; SECOND-LIEUTENANT H. A. MITCHELL(Qt, 1937), R.A., to Miss Terblanche, on August 29th; MR. J. B. ANDREWS (G, 1938) to Miss P.Hardy, on January 2nd, 1943: CAPTAIN C. D. EARLE (B, 1938), RA., to Miss E. A. Sainsbury,on November 30th; MR. C. B. BLACQUE (~, 1942) to Miss S. Etienne~Jervis, on July 20th.

TAKING AN ISLAND

Being bombed en route was terrifying, but it was the last time that we mct any real activityby the Italians. One of our companies made the first landing. There were five thousand Italiansfully armed in possession, but our four officers and eighty men occupied the island withoutdifficulty. The rest of us arrived next day. We found that the Italians had been building immensefortifications and underground shelters.. After the surrender, as no orders had been given to thecontrary, they went on building them. They had enormous quantities of material, of certainkinds at least, and I had to take charge of a huge warehouse which contained enough explosivesto blow the island out of the water. We used some of the explosives for a purpose which we'should have regarded as disgraceful at home. We used to go out in some of the small and dilapi-dated boats which we found in the harbour and kill fish with sticks of gelignite. It would havetaken more than gelignite to kill the fleas on the island. The place was black with them.

THE OTHER SIDES OF LIFE

Before settling down to business, I wanted to see something of the other sides of life. Imust say that I have had my wish. I have hunted, skied, mountaineered, killed grouse, shotstags, cruised and raced my own yacht, travelled twice round the world and shot thirty milesof rapids in the Philippines in a dug40ut.· .

(The writer has since been killed in action.)

ASSEMBLY PRAYERS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

DUM ALUMNI

In five minutes time we shall be having Prayers. I have supplied the Captain with StoweAssembly Prayer No.2 (" Stretch forth, 0 Lord .... "). I expect it has been stretched roundthe world anyway, by now. It is funny the way one keeps such things in one's mind for years.

A BUREAUCRAT

I am now a uniformed bureaucrat. I make out demands for more ink, put them into twoenvelopes (the inn~r one marked" Most Secret" and both sealed three times) and send them tothe room across the passage. Every third day I walk once up and down \Vhitehall, carrying animportant-looking black bag, which contains a morning paper and a bill from the tailor.

IN SICILY

My present work is a mixture of things connected with the defence of a certain port coupledwith the job of interpreting for a large Naval Party. This latter task is a bit irksome and comprisesh~ggling for hundredweights of onions, tomatocs, oranges, etc. in the local market, scroungingWllle throughout the countryside, shooing pestilential children off the premises and settling thelocals.' problems of food, finance and tobacco.

This morning I was woken up by a loud bellow in my ear, "Meester Antonio' (they tryto get that homelike atmosphere whenever they need anything!), and opened my eyes on themouthings of a toothless old gnome with short whitc stubble, a matted chest, tattered shorts andskinny legs, who wore on his right hand a heavy gold coronetted signet ring and carried in hisleft a large billy can which he percmptorily required to be filled with stew!

My pitch at ~he moment is an olive yard; not too shady, but (except for flies, ants, hornets·wasps and mosqUltoes) quite pleasant even in this heat-which, the soldiers are saying, is worsethan in Africa. I am sitting on a Camp bed and being regarded with some interest by a PrayingMantis which is engaged on its devotions beside me (it is Sunday). Down below the clank ofbuckets is just per~eptibl~ from the ~vell, where ';l'n old mule circulates, drawing a bar and raisingthe water by Archimedes ol~ O?-achme. There IS a fine l~rge cist.ern for our baths and laundryan~ the water finally goes to Irngate a small orchard of CItrus frUlts. In fact it probably soundsqUltc pleasant. But I find there is something rather inhuma.n about the country and somethingsubhuman about the people. They are bores. The land is almost birdless and cicadas make a.poor substitute, though the swarms of swallowtail butterflies do brighten the scene a bit.

BIRTHS

To the wife of MR. G, A. EVANS (T, 1927), twin sons, on October 27th, 1942; to the wife ofMR. J. A. ROBINSON (T, 1927), a son, on July 7th (at Port of Spain, Trinidad) : to the wife ofCAPTAIN T. J. FIRBANK (ct, 1928). Coldstream Guards, att. Airborne Division, a daughter, onNovember 16th; to the wife of MAJOR F. E. M. EASTWOOD (B, 1928), R.A.S.C., a daughter, onAugust 26th; to the wife of FLYING-OFFICER J. FRASER-JAMES (Q, 1928), a daughter, on August25th; to the wife of MAJOR H. A. L. MONTGOMERy-CAMPBELL (C, 1928), RT.R. (B.N.A.F.), ason, on August 23rd; to the wife of FLIGHT-LIEUTENAi'lT H. G. MORISON (G, 1929), RA.F.V.R.,a son, on October 27th; to the wife of MAJOR R. H. CALVERT (G, 1929), Royal Corps of Signals,a daughter; to the wife of SiR NOEL DRYDEN, Bt. (C, 1929). a son, on September 26th; to thewife of MAJOR THE HON. P. T. OGLIVIE-GRANT OF GRANT (T, 1929), a son, on September 9th.

To the wife of CAPTAIN P. L. C. BRODIE (0, 1931), Intelligence Corps, a daughter, on Scptem~ber 15th; to the wife of WING-COMMANDER L. G. LEVIS (T, 1931). a daughter, on October 31st ;to the v,,'ife of MR. T. Q. ANNAN (T, 193I), a son, on November 8th; to the wife ofMR. T. F. S. HETHERINGTON (G, 1933), a son, on August 28th: to the wife of LIEUTENANTD. G. LEA (0. .1933), Intelligence Corps, a son, on August loth; to the wife of CAP'I"AIN R. P.BLOW (C, 1933), 7th Hussars, a son, on July 23rd; to the wife of SQUADRON-LEADER J. H. P.GAUVAIN (G, 1933), RA.F.V.R., a daughtcr, on July 31St; to·the wife of SlJ.RGEON-LIEUTENANTE. J. WOOD (T, 1933), RN.V.R., a son, on October 1St; to the wife of MAJOR A. W. TORRANCE(~, 1933); Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, a son, on July 26th; to the wife of CAP'I"AINC.-W. N. MILES (C, 1933), a daughter, on August 19th; to the wife of LIEUTENANT W. E. WAL-R~ND (~, 1933), The East Surrey Regt., a daughter, on September 8th.

To the wife 'of SURGEON-LIEUTENANT A. E. de la T. MALLETT, D.S.C. (B, 1935), R.N.V.R.,a son, on August 24th; to the wife of CAPTAIN' K. P. P. GOLDSCHM'IDT (C, 1935), LeicestershireRegt., a son, on Octobcr 25th; to the wife of SECOND:-LIEUTENANT' A. \V. HORNSBY (W, 1935),The Royal Sussex Regt.,. a daughtcr, on July I3th; to the wife of MR. N. MACMANUS(q, 1935),a'son, on July 24th; to the wife of CAPTAIN A. B. M. HOUSTON (C, 1936), R.E., a son, on October25th ; to the wife of SUB-LIEUTENANT J. F. GIBSON (T, 1936). R.N.V.R., a son, on November4th ; to the wifc of MR. L. T. PARSONS (G, 1937), a son, on August 3rd; to the wife of LIEUTENANTB. A. STEWART (C, 1938), Royal Scots,Fusiliers, a.son, on September 28th; to the wife of FLIGHT-LIEUTENANT·R. E. W. HARLAND (0. '1938), RA.F.V:R., a daughter, on.July 29th .

8, THE STOIC

STOICA

THE STOIC

STOWE CLUB FOR Boys

9

School Officials-Christma~ Term, 1943.

Prefects :-c. S. Wallis-King (ci); Head of the School; R. H. M. Pease (G), Second Prefect;R. D. C. Reynolds (8). Prefect of Library ~ p-J. S. Mackay {TJ, Prefect of Gymnasium; ]. F.Cullis (W), Prefect of t;:hapel: J. A. \Vood (et) ; w. M. W. Thomas (0) ; G. W. Hawkings (~) ;N. C. S. Barling (6') ; R. F. Wright (G) : G. P. Lloyd (B) : F. E, Kitson (C).

Rugby Football :-Captain, N. C. S. Barling (~) ; Secretary, F. I. Watson (*).

The foHowing visitors have preached in Chapel this term :-October 3,rd, the Rev. T. W. L.Caspersz, Missions to Seamen: November 14th, The Venerable C. W. Weekes, Archdeacon of theIsle of Wight: November· 21st, The Vener.able R. McKew, D.D.,.late Chaplain of the Fleet.

. At the Commemoration Service held in. the Chapel on Armistice Day the Headmaster readthe names of 12] Stoics who have lost their lives in the War. The complete list of Casualtie:

10 THE STOIC THE STOIC II

FOOTBALLThe season has been a disappointing one, with only one victory in School matches against

five defeats. Four old colours were left from last year, and of the new members of the side ninewere Colts last year and are almost certain to be back next season. \Vith so many young andinexperienced members it would have been too much to expect victories over the older sideswhich represented other.schools. Three of the forwards and one of the backs will not be sixteenand a half until the holidays.

This youthfulness was clearly shown by the lack of quick thinking, compared with otherschools, and a slow response to orders. Several examples of these failings come quickly to mind.Forward rushes-and there were plenty of magnificent ones in all the matches-should be finishedoff, when they have been brought to a stop, by a quick heel; far more often than not, however,the opponents made the quick heel to their backs. Every member of the pack must know whereto go on the break up of a scrum; the.Stowe forwards knew, but at least some of them alwayslost precious seconds in remembering. Obedience to the orders of the captain or the leader ofthe forwards should be instinctive; yct the voice of the leader could be heard without any re-sponse by the team. Mistakes by the opponents should be jumped on at once, but the Stowe backswere far too slow in jumping onto the dropped passes of the opposing backs. The first duty of aback is to run hard, but the Stowe backs were too anxious to look for someone to pass to.

All this, and more could be added, may sound as if the XV were no good at all ; far from it,With rare exceptions the team played as hard as could be desired, and with onc other player mighthave had a very different record. The point is that too many of them had all the failings ofinexperience, and the old colours had too much too carry. If these faults can be corrected nextyear the results should be very different.

N. C. S. Barling (Q:P), the captain, and F. 1. Watson (6'), the secretary, were the outstandingmembers of.the side. Barling's play was quite outstanding, and as a front row forward he mustrank high in Stowe football. An effort in the last minute of the Uppingham match, when the teamwas exhausted, was a very fine example of his spirit. At first he led the pack, but then the leader-ship was transferred to Hayward, and Barling was left free to play his best. Watson was theonly member of the back division with an instinct for the game. He would probably have beena better srum-haH than, fly-half, but the absence of any other fly-half made it necessary for himto play there. "'Then three matches had been played it looked as if serum-half would be a difficultplace to fill, but then J. R. Freeland (0) was discovered, and although influenza kept him outof the last two school matches he showed considerable promise and may be really good next year.Behind 'Watson there was little striking power, either in attack or defence; consequently Watsonhad far too much responsibility on his shoulders. \Vhen Freeland was absent, and the servicefrom the ·scrum was slow, he had to kick, which he certainly did very well, particularly againstOundle, Uppingham and Radley. If there had been one big strong-running centre who couldhave been depended on to take his chances, without necessarily being brilliant, \Vatson's ex-perience would have been used to better advantage. This was the one great need of the side.C. S. Wallis-King (~) had to be brought up from ful~-back, but took some time to adapt himselfto the unaccustomed position, and then got influcnza~ R. F. Wright (G) had not enough exper-ience, and R. H. M. Pease (G), though at times he ran hard, could not make his own openings.\Vallis-King was the fust full-back, then J. A, R. Anson (G), then J. J. White (B), and finallyAnson again. Anson's play against Radley was outstanding and promises well for next year.

, The forwards were a very hard-working pack, and were at their liveliest when they were"up against it," as at Dundle; but, as already stated, they had not enough experience. G. \V.Hawkings (~) looked like being a first-class hooker, but an injury lwpt him out of several matches,and on his return he failed to regain his previous form. W. M. W. Thomas {OJ made a fair substitutehooker, and J. V. Bartlett (T), A. W. B. Hayward (G), R. C. B. Chancellor (C), E. D. Good (B)and D. L. Pike (G) all played well at times, particularly in the loose rushes: but there was· notenough solidity and team-work in the serums. If these six forwards, all of whom will be at Stowenext season, have learnt that something more than liveliness and individuality is necessary, theyshould make a very fine pack. There is good material ready for the remaining two places.

For the first time a second Fifty, called the Hundred, was formed and thoroughly justified itself.Members of it played with great keenness and should provide some serious rivals to present Coltsnext year. The fact that Freeland was discovered in it proved its worth. The under-fifteen Coltsclub was revived and ma.y be supported by an under-fourteen club next year.

THE. SCHOOL v. BEDFORD

Played at Stowe on Saturday, Odober r6th, and lost 11....:..20.

This w

THE STOIC

THE SCHOOL v. ST. EDWARD'SPlayed at Stowe on \Vednesday, November 3rd and won 15-11.

This was a hard and rather'crude game. Neither school could boast a good team. Stowehad the rather usual superiority in loose forward play and inferiority in the tight. The backswere evenly matched, with St. Edward's superior in speed and penetration in the centre.

The first half was fought at a hard pace. St. Edward's scored first when their right centrecut through some rather half-hearted tackling by Stowe who were slow to gct going and realizethat a match was being played. It looked like Bedford again when the process was repeated afterquarter of an hour. when a poor kick from the Stowe full-hack let the St. Edward's right wing in.Then Stowe had to touch down hurriedly to avoid a third try. Stowe, however, had decided togive their opponents no more rope and went. over to the attack, showing life and energy for thefirst time, and before half-time had levelled the score with two tries by Freeland. 6----6,

The second half was fast and furious: both sides attacked in turn-neither really knew enoughto take advantage of the many opportunities that went begging. St. Edward's started with atry by their left wing which was converted 11-6. ~towe replied with an unconverted try byWallis-King. The last ten minutes were all Stowe, and tries by Pease and Freeland brought Stowevictory by 15-n. It was not good football, but it was good fun.

Team :-J.-J. ""-hite (B): S, Ruthven ((J), R. F. Wright (G), c. S. Wallis-King (~), C. Dansie(0); F. 1. Watson (c.§), J. R. Freeland (G); N. C. S. Barling (c.§), P. H. Guest (B), E. D. Good(B), A. W. B. Hayward (G), C. H. Blarney (It), J. V. Bartlett IT). I. E. C. Danvers (B), R. C. B.Chancellor (C).

THE SCHOOL v. OUNDLEPlayed at Onndle on Thursday, November lIth, and lost 3-33.For the third year in succession Oundle proved much too strong for Stowe, winning this time

by three goals and six tries, 33 points, to orie penalty goal, 3 points. Despite the score, however,the yo.unger and lighter Stowe side put up an excellent fight, and there were few members of theteam who were not played out at the end of the game, War-time travelling conditions made itnecessary for the team to stay the night at Oundle, and seldom can a visiting side have been madeso comfortable. The intention had been to stay the night after the match, and travel backto Stowe the next morning, but a delay oean hour and a half at Banbury, followed by a missedconnection at' Northampton, turned a fonr·and-a-haIf·honr journey into an eleven·hour one.This was not a suitable preparation for an inter-school match. and to make matters worse, Goodfell on the Oundle platform and got slight concussion, Fortunately Hawkings travelled as atouch judge, and though far from fit, was able to take his place. The Headmaster of Oundlekindly allowed the match to be played the next morning.

Stowe kicked off after the two minutes' silence had been observed by spectators and teams.In the first few mim;tes the Stowe forwards pressed hard, but after two or three scrums it wasclear that the Oundle forwards would be able to give their backs plenty of the ball, and that thebacks were fast enough to make good use of it. As soon as the play moved into the Stowe half,bad marking by the backs let the Oundle left centre through for a. converted try. The Oundle.left centre and wing were both strong and fast runners, and between them, assisted by the bunch-ing of our centres, gained three of the four tries scored in the first half, the score being 14---0 athalf-time. Territorially Stowe had had a fair share of the game, The forwards were the equal ofthe Oundle forwards in the loose and made some very fine rushes, and Watson kicked with accnr· •acy, but the rushes too often ended with a quick pick-up and pass to the Oundle threequarters.Towards the end of the half, Stowe began to get the ball in the tight scrums, but were not 'sosQccessful in heeling from the loose. . . .

For twenty minutes of the second half the side played splendIdly; the forwards were livelierthan ever, and the tackling of the backs had much improved. A converted try to a penalty goalwas a fair representation of the play. A sudden series of three-quarter movements by Qund_Ie,however,. exhausted a highly taxed defence, and in the last quarter of an hour four more tneswere added. The Stowe XV had every reason to be proud of their performance. Barling- playedhis usual fine game, and was well backed up by ~he rest of t~~ pack. Watson kept very cool an.d.nursed his forwards with some good touch findmg. The spmt shown by both teams made thISan excellent match to watch.

Team:-J. J. White (B) ; J. L. W. Hancock (W), R. F. Wright (G), C. S. Wallis-King (oil),R. N. l\-L Pease (G); F. 1. Watson (e), J. R. Freeland (Q); G. W. Ha.wkmgs (It), P. H. Guest(B),.N. C. S. Barling (oil), C. H. Blarney (It), A. w. B. Hayward (G), J. V. Bartlett (T), W. M. W.Thomas (0), R. C. B. Chancellor (C).

THE STOIC

THE SCHOOL v. UPPINGHAM

Played at Uppingham on Saturday, November 20th, and lost 3-39-Prospects against Uppingham were not good owing to the influenza, which had reduced

the team to eight regular members of the first XV, five of the second XV, and two Colts. Evenhad we had a full team, Uppingham's record of a win over Bedford and two very narrow defeatsby Rugby and Oundle was not encouraging.

The kick-off was at once followed by one of the few combined. passing movements by theStowe three-quarters. Throughout the game they lined up straight for defence, and Watson kickedfor touch; a confession of weakness, no doubt, but necessary if the bigger and faster Uppinghamthreequarters were to be kept from scoring as they pleased. In the first half Stowe were as success~ful as could be expected. Despite some weak tackling in the centre, only a goal and a try werescored, Admittedly Stowe were helped by some unbelievably bad handling by the Uppinghambacks, but in such ~ match as this it was the score that mattered, and if the handling did notimprove, the final result might be reasonable. The forwards, though out.weighed in the tightserums, played well in the loose, and made some fine rushes in which Barling and Pike wereusually prominent.

Unfortunately the handling of the Uppingham threequarters did improve in the second half.For a short time the fierce play of the forwards gave Stowe their fair share of the game territorially,and on two occasions they were near to scoring, but the back play soon developed into a pro-cession, in which five goals and two tries were scored, against a penalty goal kicked by Barling.After a drop-out in the last minute of the game Barling made a magnificent effort, rau half thelength of the field and nearly put Danvers over in the corner. The team played hard to the'end,but the continuous tackling was too exhausting and broke down under the strain. Barling wasin his usual form, and Shirley made a most creditable first appearance as a Colt.

Team :~J. A. R. Anson (G) ; S. Ruthven (

14 THE STOIC THE STOIC 15

penalty g?al cam~ about a quarter of an hour from the end: this was, incidentally, the eleventhpenalty gIven agamst. Stowe, most of them for offside by Murray or the wing forwards. Murraywas very slow at gettmg the ball away from the serum and gave \Vatson little chance to get his~hree9-uarters gOinf1. The thrccquarters had few chances in attack and spent most of the gametacklIng a,od st?ppmg forward rushes: Anson was in very good form at full-back, fielding, kickingand tackhng wIth coolness and accuracy. The forwards were slow and lacked their usual vigoureven Barling being below his form. '

Team :-J. A. R. Anson (G); S. Ruthven (0), C. Dansie (0), R. F. vVright (G), R. H. M.Pease (G) ; F; L Watson (*), H. A. S. Murray (tt) ; P. H. Guest (B), G.W. Hawkings (ot),W. M. W.Thomas {OJ, A. 'V. B. Hayward (G),], Herron (~), R. C. B. Chancellor (C), 1. E. C. Danvers (8),N. C. S. Barling (oll».

LAURUS CUP 1942 - 1943Football. Open House .. 24 Bruce.

Junior House 3 Temple.Leagues 9 Cobham.

Cricket. Open House 24 Grafton.Junior House 3 TempleLeagues 9 Chatham.

Hockey, Open House '2 Grafton.Junior House 2 Cobham.

Athletics. Sports '4 Bruce.Cross Country '2 Cobham.Relays >0 Bruce.

Swimming. Open House 3 Cobham.Relays 3 Cobham.'Vater Polo , Grenville.

Tennis. Open House 7 Grenville.Leagues 3 Chatham.

Fencing 6 Bruce,

Fives 4 Grafton.

Squash 4 Grafton.

P.T. '5 Graft0!1.

Golf 4 Cobham.

Results~Grafton 59Bruce 54·Cobham 33Chatham "Grenville 8Temple 6Chandos 0Walpole 0

SQUASHOnly one match has so far taken place this term and for that we were without our first

two players,' J, F. Cnllis {W} and N, C. S. Barling (~), and also C. A. Vandervell (8) who is prob-ably third or fourth. 'Ve lost 2~3 to RA.F., Wing. The team was :~E, 1\1. Arnold (@), P. R.Boys-Stones (@), D. V. Palmer ((i),]. F. Chance (C) and A. J. Rowntree (T).

House matches have been-postponed owing to influenza and the open and juninr competitionsare still in the early stages.

The full school team, which is much the same as that of last year, would probably in practicebe rather better than any we have had of late.

FENCINGAt the beginning of the term, C. Lyle (8) was elected Captain, and \V. T. D. Dixon (G)

Secretary. A record number of new boys joined the Club, some of whom are very promising andin a year's time there ought to be a good junior team.

Two matches were arranged for this term, but the first one against Radley had to be cancelledsince the whole team got influenza. On December 4th there is a match against the ImperialCollege Union, who, w~ hope, will not be too good for us.

FIVESThe House Matches arc being played this term instead of next, but so far only' the first

round has been played.

There have been no school matches o\ving to transport difficulties, but the standard ofplay is lower this term than it has been for some time.

N.C.S.B.

JUNIOR TRAINING CORPS NOTESThe following promotions have been made this term:~

To Under·Offiter: Sergeants C. E, N. Graham (C), C. S. Wallis-King (~).To Sergednt: Corporals R. H. M. Pease (G), ]. A. \Vood ((£), N. C. S. Barli~g (~), B. G.

Henry (G), B. K. Montgomery (@)..To Co,-poral: Lance-Corporals F, 1. Watson (~), P. ]. Foard (G), 1. F. \VaUace (C), D. V·

Palmer· (0), G. A. Bakewell (~), M. G. Manton (0), K. E. G. Chenevix·Trench (C), R. M.-Sayer(6), G. C. Roge>s (W), D. H. Clough (G), C. Dansie (0), S. Ruthven (0), H. J. F, Marriott (C),F. E. Kitson (C), A. J. Macmillan (It).

Appoi~ted Lance-Corporal: Cadets 1. R. McDonald (C), D. C. Low (t9), D."E. Watson (

PRIZES

The strength of the Contingent is 276 cadets. In the \Var Certificate" A " examinations heldlast July, 36 out of 45 candidates passed the" Individual" and 22 Qut of 3 I the" Section Leader's"tests.

I.A.B.I'h% ~y

THE STOIC

CAMP

During the summer term arrangements had been made for two Officers and a DemonstrationPlatoon of cadet-instructors from Stowe to attend the Buckinghamshirc Army Cadet Force Camp.But unfortunately not more than 14 cadets were available as a result of the mumps epidemic.They did an excellent week's work at Liscombe Park, however, and provided the Guard of Honourfor the Lord Lieutenant's visit.

PERMANENT STAFF INSTRUCTORS

Staff-Sergt. M. Lee, late The Royal Welch Fusilicrs, has been appointed RS.M., and C.S.M.A. Reynolds is now released from The Rifle Brigade for service as Q.M.S.r. with the Contingent.A great deal depends on the work and efficiency of both Instructors, to whom we look with con-fidence.

Dcst candidate ior War Certificate" A" (Individual). July 1943 :-R. P. Marshall (C).Best candidate for War Certificate" A" (Section Leader's), July 1943 :-A. W. B. Hay·

ward (G).Best Recruits (January-July 1943) :-15t R. A. Brown (C) ; 2nd, P. D. Haigh (C).

16

COLDSTREAM CUP

The Inter-House Drill Competition was judged by the Adjutant and the Senior Drill Sergt.Coldstrcam Training Battalion. The Battalion Commander also was present. Results were :-

I. Grafton 78 5. Chatham 662. Temple 76 6. Chandos 653· Grenville 74 7. \Valpole 624. Bruce 6g 8. Cobham 61

ANNUAL INSPECTION

The Contingent is now used to War Office inspections at short notice and at any time ofyear. In November. the Assistant fnspector of the Training Corps again visited Stowe and gavea very satisfactory report of progress being made. On this occasion the weather allowed a fulloutdoor pmgramme.

TRAINING

A whole·day's training was carried out on October 12th, when the Battle of Hatch HillWood was re-fought with different plans from those of last year. Tactics and command at higherlevels. as expected, lacked finish, but the point of the exercise was to provide a framework forsection leading. In this respect the day was a success, for with keenness in the ranks and enter-prise among the N.C.03. the attack developed convincing shape up to the cnd.

Steps are being taken to improve the standard of shooting in the Contingent. The P.S.Is.give the N.C.OS. some special instruction in Weapon Training, Range practice has been re-organized on improved lines. and promotion will take shooting cla§sification into account.

During the war the Signallers have patiently been doing good work with obsolete equipment.They have recently been issued with up-to-date wireless sets of more than one type.

After many losses through transfers during the holidays the strength of the Home Guardplatoon is less than for some time. but it will build up again during the year. In October. apartfrom routine training, one whole Sunday was spent on tactics and marching. and in Decemberthe platoon will be put through its Battle Inoculation.

Photo /~)'j.K..\I.

THE STOIC

MUSIC

NOTESA.T.C.There was an unusually large number of leavers in July, most of them going up to the Uni-

versities for six-month RA.F. Courses. Tl is hoped that intake from the J.T.C. will bring theFlight up to its normal strength by the end of the next term. In this connection it may perhapsbe mentioned that the A.T.C. offers training not only for the R.A.F. and F.A.A.. but also forother branches of the Royal Navy and Cor those who wish to become Army Glider Pilots.

An Advanced Training Examination (which takes the place of the former Proficiency Part11) was held in October when si.x cadets took the papers in all subjects. The results have not yetbeen published. Thirteen out of sixteen cadets were successful in the Proficiency Part I Examina-tions held in ] uly and November and these have commenced Advanced Training with courseson Kavigation and Enl,rines.

Several '\"isits have been paid to the parent R.A.F. Station (or lectures in Navigation. Anna·ment, Airmanship and Security and, in spite of bad weather and illness, several cadets have hadflying. During the Summer holiday Leading Cadet P. Morris-Johnson (G) spent a week in trainingat a Glider School.

Promotions :-To Flight Sergeant: R. F. \Vright (G).To Sergeant: N. C. Davison (f)), A. W. Mosselmans «(:), R. D. C. Reynolds (8).To Corporal: G. \V. Hawkings (€), F. B. Maxwell (£), B. A. Stewart (8), W. M. W. Thomas

(0). A, J, Wells (0). M, S, W;'her; (G),

-0.'

A full and difficult programme has been attacked by the Orchestra, which has a (ull comple·ment o( players this term. The chief work, and one of exceptional difficulty, is Dvorak's" NewWorld" Symphony, of which the first movement will be performed at the concert. This willbe the first time the Orchestra has succeeded in bringing it to concert standard, (or it is exception.ally hard (or all parts. .. Marche Hongroise," by Berlioz, is another item on the programmewhich makes considerable demands on the players, particularly the trombones. In any case aheavily·scored work, in the hands o( the Orchestra, especially the brass, it becomes heavy to thedegree o( stodginess, and, in (act, is not particularly popular among the players. In contrastis the delightful, light-textured "Passepied," (rom Delibes' ballet suite" Le Roi s'amuse:'This, with Dvorak's Slavonic Dance, No. I, makes up the programme. The latter piece is fairlysuccess(ul, apart (rom the orchestra's curious inability to playa chord o( C in tune, at the begin-ning.

The Choral Society has been working at Constant Lambert's" Rio Grande," though attend-ances at practices have been rather disappointing. H, as is hoped, Haydn's" Creation" is to beattempted before term ends, it is certain more voices will be needed. The" Rio Grande," whichis but rarely performed, is a curious work, original and vivid, showing a marked jazz influence.The Orchestra is combining: with the Choral Society, the work being lor chorus, piano and or-chestra; Angus Morrison will be the soloist. All parts are very difficult and an unusually largebattery is employed, consisting of 5 players with numerous percussion instruments, varying froma xylophone to a gong. These come inlO their own in the piano cadenzas, and (orm one of themany curious (eatures of this striking work.

There has been one recital lhi~ term by Arthur Sykes (tcnor). who sang arias from oratorios,lieder by Brahms and \Vulf, and operatic itcm~, including the Flowcr Song from" Carmen,"by Bizet. The concert was held in the Library and was well receivcd. A violin recital by BernardShore earlier in the term had, unfortunately, to l>c postponed indefinitely. The Sunday popularconcerts have been suspended owing to the heavy demands they make on the time o( playersand organizers in addition to the prior claims of more important musical organizations.

The ].T.C. and A.T.C. Band gave one o( its best performances at very short notice. at theGeneral Inspection, and made a valuable contribution to the parade. It will in addition give itstermly concert. Its numbers have grown considerably, but there is always room (or new recruits.

•THE STOIC

THE STOIC

G.C.N.

THE LIBRARYh l~e Sc~oOl,this term has continued to increase its consumptio~ of literature' more booksi:~~e t:;?~ °tofc~hth~~ c~e~ befc:re. Rcfcrenc~ books are now being reviewed a~d even read,· . 00 '5 0 e ee. WhIch are- a contlllued success. A great number of new booksmcludlUJ{. .manx mo?crn Fre~ch novels, have been bought this term. Of particular interest t~MOdef,n Lm~Ulsts wIiI ~e Peb~ de Julleville's monumental Histoire de la Langue et de la Littera-ture ra;nllcal~e:. But It remams a problem to induce the school itself to SU

On Octob~r 29th the Secretary read a colourful paper on the rich and varied life of MediaevalGeorgia with its curious blend of Oriental luxury and European Feudalism. On November 19thDr. Ei."ler, Fellow of the Austrian Institute of Historical Research, read a paper on "The Patternof History," which for sheer erudition has seldom, if ever, been equalled, He traced the agelongattempt to create a world of order, a Kosmos out of the irrational ,chaos confronting us at alltimes. With this object he passed from the Babylonians to the Nazis•. embracing the intermediateEmpires also. .

A.G.H,M,'

SOCIETYDEBATING

h~~~~e~7;~er~~~~~i~~t1~~~~l~h~h~~;i~rt~,:~~ei~et~~/t~~l~~~:~~~c~~~~d.n qualit.y : their obj~ct.TreasO~:e~er~~ thIeRSeoeS,e(tTY) .wLc.rbe :--;-PresAideGnt, Mr, J. M. Todd; Secretary, G. C. Neale (C) ;

, . ." e_ ,1 ranan, . .' H, Melly (ilC). 'H r~e ~O(I~)WI~g fhave been elected members :-M. G. Manton (0); J. M. Kahn (W), G. W.

aw. mgs , ' . I. Blarney (It), P. H, Guest (9), D, H. Clough (G), J. L. W. Hancock (W)A(O,.·)J·JMaGC~lan(1t)'OA. W: Mosselmans (et), R. P. Broadley (W), G. A. Bakewell (~), C. L. BrOtlk

,. , aenee ( ), P. D. F. Kelly (0), R J. B. Gentry (0).

wa~ ~heno?~dr·tMhect.ing,was he1ld on June 16th. Motion:" -That, in the opinion of this House aa wlUmng un ess one deserves to win it " •

~hGiH. MELLY (:) w~ rhetorical, insi.stent upon ide~ls, and shallow, ,in proposing the motion.13 ~v eGJ:::r(~) ~creta~r (J. O:tSTANLEY (8) ) was cynical about the Proposer's idealism

'. '. roug smcen y to bear, and spoke forcefUlly if inaccuratel . ..s~' .\V.. I. REES (T) refuted historical eyewash by citing some ~ore but wa."yiog,·eal and

per lh~Slve. , . '.

The Motion was carried in' botl:t Houses{ .

THE SYMPOSIUM

. There have been three papers read so far this term, all of which were interesting and oneexceptionally so. M, G. Manton (Q) read a paper on " Journalism "early in the term, and A. G. H.Melly (It) read an excellent o:ne on " Surrealism," which was extremely provocative. Of late, .G. P. Lewis (9) has read a masterly paper on " Jazz'is doomed," which was exceptionally in:..teresting for the discussion' which it produced. Some members also took advantage of the kindinvitation of the XII Club to listen to Dr. Eisler's lecture on" The Pattern of liistory," for whichwe are most grateful. It is hoped that ] ..V. Bartlett (T) will read a paper later on in the term.

A.W.B,H.

THE._CLASSICAL SOCIETY

.At the cnd of last term the Society heard an admirable paper on " Lyric Poetry" by P. A.Mulgan (G) in which he illustrated the remarkable similarity between the lyric poetries of,AncientGreece and Elizabethan and Jacobean England. On December 8th C: 'A: Cooper' (G) read apaper on " Greek and Roman Vases and Coins." ,- ,-

J.R.F.

20 THE STOIC THE STOIC 21

N.C.D.

Thursiay, August 10,1843. Pric8,5d.

His Majesty the King of Hanover and Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester ~l?sedtheir visit to the Duke and Duchess of Buckingham at Stow~ on Tuesday. ~~e Royal vlSltorsarrived on Saturday evening [when] the banquet was served III the t~pestry dmmg-room and theprincely collection of antique plate, unrivalled for its value by any pnvate ~ersonage, orn~met.tt;dthe sideboards In the evening [of Monday] there was a large dmner, when t e eIre eexceeded 40.

"THE OF

DISEASES

TIMES "

SPREAD•••

FROM

THE VITRUVIANSOwing to the large number of leavers last term, we, have found our numbers somewhat

depleted. However, new boys and members of the Lower School have not been slow to join theSociety. So far, we have had a business meeting at which the programme for the term was dis-Cussed and an expedition to the churches of Croughton and Hinton.in.the-Hedges. We areawaiting a visit from Major E. J. T. Lutyens who will lecture on the Post-War Reconstruction ofLondon. A programme of architectural films is also to be shown during the last week in November.Professor A. E. Richardson, who has lectured at Stowe before, has consented to speak to us on19th Century Church Architecture early next term, It is hoped tllat the attendance at themeetings of the Society, especially by members of the Upper School, will improve.

THE SPOTTERS' CLUBAt the end of last term D. R. Blundell (~) (Hon. Secretary) and R. M. W. Busk (lIP) (Hon.

Treasurer) left, and the Committee this term is as follows :-Mr. W. Llowarch, N. C. Davison (~)(Hon. Secretary), A. J. \Vells (0) (HOIl. Competition Officer) and A. W. Mosselmans (QC) (Hon.Treasurer.) There arc 38 members of the Club.

So far this term there have been five meetings, one of which was for full members only.Several tests, including 1st, 2nd and 3rd Class and two competitions, have been held, althoughattendance has not been particularly large, chiefly because of illness.

Oue talk, on "Neutral Air Forces," has been given, by the Secretary, and another on" Bi-plane Fighters" will be given shortly.

B.G.H.

THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETYThe results of the second season's work with potatoes on organic manures are now completed.

The first set of 25 microplots on the South Front were dug in the winter of 1941 -42 and sincethen have been used for experiments with organic manures, under the direction of RothamstedExperimental Station. The manures used have been :-Dung, Savital, Middlesex .sludge andBirmingham sludge each on five of the microplots, with the remaining five microplots untreatedso as to provide a control. The arrangement of the manures was such as to give maximum uni-formity of conditions despite the slight differences in the positions, and so environments, of themieroplots.

In both years Arran Pilots were planted at the end of the Easter term and were lifted nearthe end of July. The results have been as follows:_

Tons per acre,Manure. 1942 1943

Nil 3.39 4.81Dung 4.57 5.97Savital 4.31 6.04Middlesex sludge 4.01 4.3 1Birmingham sludge 3.80 4.74

In both years Dung and Savital show definite superiority, the sludges being little differentto no manure'. The effects of the manures are more marked in 1943. The plots were treated inMarch in both years, and all plots received a dressing of balanced inorganic fertilizers.

A second set of 25 rnircoplots was dug during last Winter, and owing to an unusual distribution.of phosphate found in the sampling of the soil, was used for an experiment on inorganic phosphates.The results have not yet been received.

The Bird Collection has been somewhat rearranged. Sigma now contains those birds whichare likely to be seen at Stowe, and the remainder are housed in Concord.

B.A.B.

LA SOCIETE DES LANGUES MODERNES

Ce trimestre la societe s'est reunie jusqu'au present trois fois. On elu trois pieces fran~aises.On a elu comme nouveaux membres de la societe M. G. Manton (0), C. L. Brook (q), W. T. D.·Dixon (G) et J, M. Fimister (W).· Malheureusement a l'heure actuelle des· exemplaires ne sontpoint disponiblcs; it faut s'en servir des anciennes pieces.

RM.S.

.. How curious it is," said M. Tantinet, delicately sipping his Moselle, "that you ot~erEngrsh who are so well versed in the arts and so skilled in their practice, yet know nothmga a~edtly of that valuable and refined art-the art of sneezing. Vie in France loo~ up~n the

pp h k ..0 nc,'ther where when nor how to sneeze as a poor, uneducated, unsoCtal SImple·person"\'I' 0 no";,,,, " . . . . h h d"ton. Yet here in England I have not met one single person who IS famIlIar Wit even t e ru 1-ments of the art." .

"There exist" continued M. Tantinet, settling himself more comfortably into his ch.alr," two means of classifying the sneeze: one by its intention, and one by its mode of execubon.Permit me to begin by dealing with the former.

"Under the classification according to purpose we fin~ two ~ypes of. s~eez~: the sneeze'dMensif,' and the sneeze' informatif.' Forgive me for saymg agam t.hat It 1~ dIfficult for meto imagine how you English can lead a cultured life and at the same bme be .lgnorant of ~heseso vital forms of expression. You are, it seems, quite prepared to allow any bngan~ who wlsh~sit to come to sit at this table, without any opposition from yours~lf; whereas me, ~f I saw thatwe were about to be disturbed, I would perform the sneeze dCfensIf, and our ~ecluslOn.would be

d How s,'rnple I Yet how effective! Such again is the case of the sneeze mformabt. You,Msure, . h Wwhen you go into a shop, and when you might find t~at one IS not t e~e to serve you, you ~ouperhaps be so crude as to raise a forced cough; and If that. shoul.d fall to summon th~ asslstan~

o might knock with a c·oin until he should hear you. How Impoltte! How unnecessanly crude.~u~ what could be more artistic, more delicate, more certain of success than a well executedsneeze informatif?

" I have already mentioned," said M. Tantinet, putting do~'Vn his. glass of l\~oselle, "theclassification of sneezes according to the procedure adopted dunng theIr prodl1ct~on. Le~ meexplain more fully. This classificatio~l contains three types ~f sneeze : t~e ,sneeze . a~ ~ez, the

• " fa bouche . and inclusive of these two the sneeze au mouchOlf. PhYSIOlogically, ofsneeze a " ', .. If• nez' ,·s always to be preferred to ' a la bouche. But SOCIally-and reullud yoursecourse, au. . 1'h

th t I take the greater interest in the social aspect-socially, the same IS not always true.. em:thod depends on the circumstances. To make a general,ization f,or the benefit of the be.gl?ner,I ·n say that the sneeze informatif should be performed au nez, and the sneeze defenslf 3..lab w, he' But remember if you please that there exist exceptions. Finally, the sneeze' au moucholf_'.ouc. f

" I come, said Mr. Tantinay, draining his ginger beer to the dregs, "from the Mi~istry 0Health, Please remember that coughs and sneezes spread diseases. Trap the germs by uSlOg yourhandkerchief. "

1.1. THE STOIC

POETRY IN

THE STOIC

MEMORIAM

(

POEMThe distant bird dips behind dist;nt treesinto the stillness of those landscapes,the brain's opalescent hinterlandbeneath a familiar sky we did not know before,

yet beautiful. Remoteness. limpid, without the moon,vibrates, like the horizon's dimmer images,upon the skyline.Await the soft. the lunar clarinet

discoursing vague honey, meticulous uneasinessat waving visions in the cloudy seas,till the pale-ochre dawn;whose parting thread forgets the aching, lost

JULIA MILDRED SLATER I897-I943\Vhen l\Iiss Slater died on December 9th, 1943, she had been connected with Stowe for

seventeen years. She cam~ here first in September ."1926 as an Assistant in the sana~orilim, butwent in 1923 to South Afnca,.whence she ret\1rr~ed 11\ 1930, to beome House Mat~on III .Cobh~m.At, the end of 1938 she again went to South Afnca, but when war broke out she Immediately 5etabout returning. Shc reached home in time to take over her work in Cobham again in May 1940.She remained there until her death. .

During her eleyen years in Cobham Mi3s Slatcr won in a quite particular degree the affectionof everyone who knew her. Her devotio~ to the House and everyone in i~ brought all her naturalgifts of kindness and patience into play, and the freshness of her outlook, her knowledge of theworld and her quick, clear mind, made her a delightful hostess and a charming compa.nion. Herdeath leaves a gap which for many of us can never be flUed.

M.e.LIEUTENANT B. P. BROOKE (C, 1927), The Hampshire Regiment.

" During the period 26th February-6th March 1943. when the Brigade was engaged inrepulsing heavy attacks by enemy tanks and infantry, Lieutenant Brooke displayed great courageand devotion to duty in carrying out his c1utjes as Brigade Liaison Officer. During this period heproceeded on many hazardous missions under enemy fire and snm.....ed the utmost determinationin conYeying orders to forward units.

" On the night of 26/27th February 1943 he went forward twelve miles in front of our for4ward position, carrying important orders to a Batt..1.lion which had been completely cut off, andsucceeded in reaching his obj'ective.

"Lieutenant Brooke's conduct and coolness under fire have been most praise\yorthy,"

LIEUTENANT G. T. B.- FRANCE (0, 1934), Royal Regiment of Artillery." On the night of the 20th/21st April 1943, at Banana Ridge, Lieutenant France's Regiment

wa.

THE STOIC

LIEUTENANT (acting Captain) E ..B: FOSTER-MoRE, (0, 1939), The Hampshire Regiment." During the fighting in Tunisia since the 26th February, 1943, Captain Foster-More led

his Company with great determination and grit. His general behaviour inspired his men, andhis coolness and calculating judgment were undoubtedly great attributes to the splendid resultsthat his company obtained.

" Captain Foster~Morc was an outstanding example in the Battalion,"

CAPTAIN J. H. DE B!.!RGH (G, 1939), Royal Regiment of Artillery." In January 1943,-Captain de Burgh accompanied a Regiment of Yeomanry as Observation

Post Officer in a tank operation in the vicinity of Goubellat. Owing to the nature of the groundall the tanks which left the road got bogged or hit, Captain de Burgh controlled the fire of hisBattery with great effect and undoubtedly saved the damage to our tanks from being a grea~doalworse, In addition to the support of the armour, he also in conjunction with another Observa-tion Post Officer of the Battery who was on foot, relayed a complicated smoke 'screen to assistthe' withdrawal of a Company of a Rifle Regiment. Owing to his resource and efficiency thissmoke screen was successful. .

" In the German counter-attack against the Rifle Regiment on the 20th January 1943,Captain de Burgh found himself cut off with a Sergeant, and together they went to try and manan anti-tank gun. Captain de Burgh was, however, wounded in the head and rendered temporarilyunconscious. ·When he came to he found himself surrounded by Germans, but managed to makehis way back in the dark and insisted on passing on a valuable report, although suffering con-siderably from the effects of the wound, before being taken to the Advanced Dressing Station.

" In support of a Battalion of a Guards' Regiment in an attack on Djebel Rhorab on the 9thApril 1943, Captain de Burgh was one of the Observation Post Officers and controlled the fireof a battery of Yeomanry. Later in the day he ·went forward to establish an Observation Postand consolidate a position taken by the infantry, .

" Throughout the day Captain de Burgh's fire control was of a very high order and un-doubtedly contributed largely to the success of the opcration. During the advance to the newpositions hc came under heavy mortar fire due to which he had both Wireless Aerials shot away;but despite this he re-established communication without delay."

•a.B.E.MAJOR (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) W. J. DAVIS (8. 1930), Royal Electrical and Mechanical

~ngineers.

" Major Davis has held the appointment of A.D.M,E. from the commencement of the NorthAfrican campaign. He did extremely good work in the. early stagcs of planning and at all timeshas shown outstanding initiative, clcar headedness and devotion to duty.

," For.a period of six wecks Major Davis acted as D.D.M.E., First Army and the .smooth$t~ff work of R,E.M,E. in this Army is largely due to his efforts,"

M.B.E.

CAPTAIN (temporary Major) THE LORD RODERIC ARMYNE GORDON (C,. 1931). Royal Regiment ofArtillery," Major Gordon commanded the first-Heavy Anti~Aircraft Battery which moved forward

from Bougie. His guns and equipment arrived in Bougie harbour on the I4th November 1942,the fourth ,day of heavy air raids. The dock harbour was spasmodic and almost non-existent, sohe took his own officers and men on to the ship, and through his fine example they unloadedtheir .own equipment and many tons of food. petrol and ammunition, carrying on through allair raid warnings and spasmodic raids, until their own guns were ready to move. During thesedays IVrajor Gordon was constantly on the ship, encouraging his men and assisting them.

.. On the 17th November 1942, the battery marched 220 miles to Bone in 22! hours_. Theyimmediately prepared for action and were firing regularly until December 4t.h when they movedto Yauks Les Bains.

" During the defence of Bone, Major Gordon assisted in the co-ordination of ~he air defences.On one occasion his Battalion Headquarters was hit by high explosive and incendiary bombs.The battcry destroyed nine certain planes during this time. Major Gordon's fine l~adership andco-operation contributed to a great extent to the success of the Heavy Anti-Aircraft Batteries: